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I was browsing my wife’s extensive cook book collection and became reacquainted with an old one that her Mom gifted to her back in the 1970s. Why would I waste your time writing about a cook book? Well, because it is probably the most comprehensive cookbook that you might ever read, period, end of discussion. This is the cookbook that your grandparents used and was handed down to your mom. If it’s harvested, butchered, dried, frozen, cooked, canned, stored, or grown it’s in here from antelope to whitefish (including beaver and moose), from acidophilus milk to zucchini. First published back in 1947 it harkens back to an era lost to us but clearly in the memories of buyers of the book back in mid-century. Those were the pre-refrigeration times and back when buckets of lard were still available along with farm milk and cheese, hunting for sustenance was considered normal, and everyone canned everything. It’s a fantastic bridge between the long past and past and now is available to us in the present.

There are virtually all known preservation techniques outlined in this very thick book of over 1700 (!) pages including dehydrating and canning, two techniques that are valuable when freezing might be a luxury. It is over 3” thick.

There’s a 77 page index to give you an idea of how comprehensive this book is. I can’t stress enough how valuable this book would become during a shtf situation because it provides many alternatives to traditional cooking techniques as opposed to modern cookbooks which rely on microwaves and electronics and a lot of pre-packaged ingredients. In this book you start with picking the veggies from the garden, getting the feathers off a newly dispatched broiler, or carving up an elk. However, she also details more modern ingredients that may be frozen or butchered at a shop. It’s not a cookbook full only of rustic techniques but both old and newer ones. They are most certainly techniques that will help you adjust to a less-modern way of feeding a family.

Just thought I’d share this info with you all. You won’t find this in reprint, btw. You’ll have to find it at an old bookseller or antique book shop. It won’t be cheap but prices I’ve seen range from $25-$40 or thereabouts; well worth the investment. You’ll find yourself immersed in page after page of recipes and essays regarding proper nutrition (even way back then they had a nutrition wheel). You’ll also find yourself wonder if there is “X” in there and digging around to find it. More often than not you’ll find it and usually with a few options.

THanks. I'm confident that when you see this in person and actually get into it, you'll find it will be invaluable. Cooking techniques haven't really changed all that much but preperation of food has. This book explains in great detail a lot of "how-to" do things that have been forgotten by most people and there are literally thousands of recipes in there that are really excellent. People back there were a lot healthier than we are as a society to day, even with all our medical improvements. Just look at photos of families back in the day and there were few fatties in there.

look for a copy of :
"the original fannie farmer 1896 cook book" by the boston cooking school

__________________
fio para bellator
be the prepared warrior

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
¯ Mark Twain

"when you have integrity..... nothing else matters
when you don't have integrity.... nothing else matters"
Teach The Children This Simple Principle.... Bob Kelly

"Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving
safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in
broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly
proclaiming -- WOW--What a Ride
l

The days of lots of surplus long guns coming in from other shores has pretty much dried up, however, and cosmo impregnated stocks are more rare than anything else these days except for some 91/30s. They'll be around in crates forever I think.

The reason I brought this cookbook to everyone's attention is because it helps you prepare and store some foods that have been forgotten in todays lexicon. It relies on the tried & true methods that were pioneered by our great-grandmothers and fathers. And, at 1700 pages, it's got just about everything you might need to know. I, too, love the other ones mentioned. I just happen to prefer this one, personally.

I noticed the 1953 printing is all in one with the 1699 pages, and it seems there is a 14th and 15th printing for 1953? Is one more desirable than the other? Also would the 2 volume set (1956 or 1959 or even newer) have the same info? Just curious, as this looks like an interesting book for my cook book collection....

__________________"To show you how radical I am, I want carjackers dead. I want rapists dead. I want burglars dead. I want child molesters dead. I want the bad guys dead. No court case. No parole. No early release. I want 'em dead. Get a gun and when they attack you, shoot 'em."
Ted Nugent - speaking at the NRA convention April 17, 2005

I have to believe that the two volume book was done that way just to make it a bit easier to handle. However, I've never seen it in person. I've just got the one 1700 page publication. Maybe someone here can answer.

I have to believe that the two volume book was done that way just to make it a bit easier to handle. However, I've never seen it in person. I've just got the one 1700 page publication. Maybe someone here can answer.

Rome

If you go to Amazon.com and type "Meta Givens" into the search bar, read the comments. There's some pretty good info regarding the different printings.

__________________“The more corrupt the state, the more numerous the laws.”
― Tacitus, The Annals of Imperial Rome

2 volume 1955 version Meta Given's set (1957 printing) has a chapter that covers game meat (41 pages, including dressing, removal of feathers, etc.) and includes recipes for all the "normal" game + squirrels, possum, raccoon, beaver, turtle, etc.).

The book is public domain. Maybe somebody with better internet fu that I have can figure out how to download and save a copy.

If someone is going to one of the universities listed after going to the login screen, the whole book could be downloaded from hathitrust.

Or you could do like I did, which is to save each individual page (no login required for that) and then combine them into one pdf file. There are 40 pages in all. If anyone wants the pdf, send me a pm with where to send it to or an email and I'll gladly send it out.

__________________"To show you how radical I am, I want carjackers dead. I want rapists dead. I want burglars dead. I want child molesters dead. I want the bad guys dead. No court case. No parole. No early release. I want 'em dead. Get a gun and when they attack you, shoot 'em."
Ted Nugent - speaking at the NRA convention April 17, 2005

2 volume 1955 version Meta Given's set (1957 printing) has a chapter that covers game meat (41 pages, including dressing, removal of feathers, etc.) and includes recipes for all the "normal" game + squirrels, possum, raccoon, beaver, turtle, etc.).

Ebay has a 1996 reprint of the Fanny Farmer cookbook for 4.99, but prolly go for higher.

__________________
Government is like salt.
A small amount is necessary, but as the amount grows,
it becomes increasingly bitter, and will eventually kill you.
NRA Instructor Rifle, Pistol, Shotgun. CCW Instructor.

I was able to get a 2 volume copy of the Meta Givens Modern Encyclopedia of Cooking on ebay for $20 plus shipping. It is a 1951 printing. From what I can tell a 7th printing? There is even some handwriting for a "delicious white icing" recipe by someone who owned the books previously.

Some want more, sometimes you can find them for less. For those wanting the Meta Givens book(s), just keep checking and the right deal will present itself.

__________________"To show you how radical I am, I want carjackers dead. I want rapists dead. I want burglars dead. I want child molesters dead. I want the bad guys dead. No court case. No parole. No early release. I want 'em dead. Get a gun and when they attack you, shoot 'em."
Ted Nugent - speaking at the NRA convention April 17, 2005

We ending up paying $25.00 for ours on e-bay and I'd rate the overall condition as very good.
There are many great, simple recipes and advise that's been forgotten in what you would find in todays cookbooks. I really think it's one of the better cookbooks out there and a must have in the home.